Diaper with elastic fastener tab

ABSTRACT

A disposable diaper comprising, an absorbent pad assembly having opposed surfaces, a pair of side edges, and a pair of end edges connecting the side edges. The diaper has a tape fastener comprising, tape means having a first portion secured to one of the surfaces of the pad assembly, a securement portion for attachment to a spaced portion of the diaper, an extensible portion connecting the first and securement portions, and elastic means constraining expansion of the extensible portion.

This is a continuation, division, of application Ser. No. 756,309 filedJan. 3, 1977.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to absorbent articles, and moreparticularly to disposable diapers.

A various assortment of disposable diapers have been proposed for use oninfants, and have become increasingly popular with parents since theymay be discarded after a single use and need not be laundered. Suchdiapers are normally constructed having a fluid impervious backingsheet, a fluid pervious top or cover sheet, and an absorbent padintermediate the backing and cover sheets.

Many of the diapers have been provided with tape fasteners which areused to secure the diaper about the infant. Such fasteners generallytake the form of a pressure-sensitive tape strip having a first endattached to the diaper and a second securement end which is attached tothe diaper during placement. Prior to use, adhesive on the securementend is covered to prevent premature contact of the adhesive against thediaper or other article.

An overriding consideration in construction of the diaper is the cost ofmanufacture and the diaper materials, since the diaper must beinexpensive to the consumer due to its disposability. Accordingly, thebacking sheets of such diapers have been made from a relatively thinplastic material, such as polyethylene, in order to reduce the cost ofthe backing sheet and the diaper. However, it has been found that whenforces are applied to the tape strip during placement and use of thediaper, the tape strips have a tendency to tear the backing sheet andbecome ruptured from the diaper, thus rendering the diaper relativelyuseless. Additionally, it is desired that the tape fastener provides asnug fit and prevents a loose fit of the diaper about the infant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A principal feature of the present invention is the provision of adisposable diaper having an improved tape fastener.

The diaper of the present invention comprises, an absorbent pad assemblyhaving opposed surfaces, a pair of side edges, and a pair of end edgesconnecting the side edges. The diaper has a tape fastener comprising,tape means having a first portion secured to one of the surfaces of thepad assembly, a securement portion for attachment to a spaced portion ofthe diaper, an extensible portion connecting the first and securementportions, and elastic means constraining expansion of the extensibleportion.

A feature of the present invention is that the extensible portionpermits enlargement of the tape means responsive to forces applied tothe tape strip, thus permitting conformability of the diaper about theinfant during use.

Another feature of the invention is that the extensible portion reducesthe forces applied to a backing sheet in shear during placement and useof the diaper, and minimizes the possibility that the tape means mayrupture from the diaper backing sheet.

Still another feature of the invention is that the elastic meansconstrains the extensible portion to provide a snug fit of the diaperabout the infant while permitting expansion of the extensible portion.

Yet another feature of the invention is that the extensible portionlimits the amount of expansion of the tape means and prevents a loosefitment of the diaper which otherwise might be caused by a completelyelastic tape strip.

Further features will become more fully apparent in the followingdescription of the embodiments of this invention and from the appendedclaims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front plan view of a disposable diaper having ataper fastener of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicatedalong the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the diaper of FIG. 2 showingthe tape fastener in an unfolded configuration preparatory to use;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the diaper of FIG. 3 showingthe tape fastener in an extended configuration;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the diaper showing anotherembodiment of the tape fastener of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the diaper of FIG. 5 showingthe tape fastener in an extended configuration;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary back plan view of a diaper showing anotherembodiment of a tape fastener of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicatedalong the line 8--8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary back plan view showing the fastener of FIG. 7 inan extended configuration during use;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the fastener of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the fastener of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the fastener of thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary front plan view of a diaper having anotherembodiment of the fastener of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view showing the fastener of FIG. 13 in anextended configuration during use;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary front plan view of a diaper showing anotherembodiment of the fastener of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken substantially as indicated along theline 16--16 of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 17 is an elevational view showing the fastener of FIG. 15 attachedto a remote portion of the diaper during use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a disposable diapergenerally designated 20 having an absorbent pad assembly 22. The padassembly 22 has a fluid impervious backing sheet 24, such aspolyethylene, defining a back surface 26 of the pad assembly, a fluidpervious cover or top sheet 28, such as a non-woven material, defining afront surface 30 of the pad assembly 22, and an absorbent pad 32, suchas comminuted wood pulp termed in the art as fluff, located intermediatethe backing sheet 24 and cover sheet 28. The pad assembly 22 has a pairof the side edges 34, and a pair of end edges 36 connecting the sideedges 34. The absorbent pad 32 also has a pair of side edges 38 and endedges 40 connecting the side edges 38. In a preferred form, as shown,the side edges 38 of the pad 32 are located adjacent the side edges 34of the pad assembly 22, and the fluid impervious backing sheet 24 haslateral side margins 42 folded over and secured to the top sheet 28,such that the backing sheet side margins 42 cover lateral side marginsof the absorbent pad 32.

The diaper has a pair of tape fasteners generally designated 50 having apressure-sensitive tape strip 52 and a release sheet 54, with each ofthe fasteners being located adjacent a side edge 34 of the pad assembly22. The release sheets 54 have an outer release surface 58 and areattached to the front surface 30 of the pad assembly 22 adjacent theside edges 34 by suitable means, such as adhesive 64. The release sheet54 may be made from any suitable material, such as paper orpolyethylene, and the outer release surface 58 of the paper releasesheet may be formed by a suitable silicone treatment or coating.

The tape strip 52 has a relatively inextensible backing 65, such aspaper, adhesive 66 on a front surface of the backing 65, a first endportion 68 secured to the back surface 26 of the pad assembly by theadhesive 66 adjacent the side edge 34, a securement end portion 70remote the first portion 68 and having its adhesive 66 releasablyattached to the outer release surface 58 of the release sheet 54, and anextensible central portion 72 extending between and connecting the firstend portion 68 and securement end portion 70. As shown, the centralportion 72 of the tape strip 52 has a fold about a laterally extendingfold line 74 defining a first section 76 extending between the fold line74 and first end portion 68 of the tape strip 52, and a second section78 extending between the fold line 74 and the securement end portion 70of the tape strip 52. The first and second sections 76 and 78 of thetape strip 52 include adhesive on their front surfaces, and the tapefastener has a sheet 79 of suitable material, such as paper, coveringthe adhesive on the first and second sections 76 and 78 to preventattachment between the first and second sections during use. As shown,the securement portion 70 of the tape strip 52 may have a folded overend defining a tab 80 to facilitate removal of the tape strip from therelease sheet.

The fastener 50 also has an elastic strip 82 extending across the foldedextensible portion 72 on the front surface of the tape strip 52, andhaving opposed ends 84 and 86 attached to the adhesive 66 on the firstportion 68 and securement portion 70. The strip 82 may be made of anysuitable elastic material, such as an elastic tape, product No. Y482,sold by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company. As shown, theelastic strip 82 may have adhesive 88 on its ends 84 and 86 attached tothe adhesive 66 and which may extend through a central part 90 of thestrip 82.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the tape fastener 50 is shown in afolded configuration prior to use of the diaper, with the tape strip 52being releasably attached to the outer release surface 58 of the releasesheet 54. In use, the tab 80 may be grasped in order to peel thesecurement portion 70 of the tape strip 52 from the release surface 58of the release sheet 54, as shown in FIG. 3, such that the securementportion 70 of the tape strip 52 extends beyond the side edge 34 of thepad assembly 22. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, when the securementportion 70 is pulled, the extensible portion 72 unfolds andlongitudinally extends while the elastic strip 82 constrainslongitudinal expansion of the extensible portion 72. In this manner, theextensible portion 72 permits expansion of the tape fastener duringplacement and use of the diaper to reduce forces otherwise applied inshear to the diaper backing sheet 24, thus minimizing the possibilitythat the backing sheet may be torn and tape strip may be ruptured fromthe diaper. At the same time, the elastic band 82 constrains expansionof the extensible portion 72, and causes a close fit of the diaper aboutthe infant. In addition, with reference to FIG. 4, the extensibleportion 72 limits the amount of longitudinal expansion of the tape strip52 and elastic strip 82, and prevents overextension of the tape stripwhich otherwise might cause a loose fitment of the diaper about theinfant.

Another embodiment of the tape fastener is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6,in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In thisembodiment, the release sheet 54 is attached to the back surface 26 ofthe pad assembly 22 adjacent the side edge 34, and the first portion 68of the tape strip 52 is spaced from the side edge 34 and locatedadjacent the release sheet 54. As before, the elastic strip 82 isconnected between the first and securement portions 68 and 70, and theadhesive 66 on the the securement portion 70 is releasably attached tothe release surface 58 of the release sheet 54. However, if desired, thefront surface of the first and second strip sections 76 and 78 may befree of adhesive to prevent attachment during use of the fastener. Also,the elastic strip 82 is attached directly to the adhesive 66 on the tapestrip 52 without additional adhesive on the elastic strip or band 82.

In use, the securement portion 70 of the tape strip 52 is peeled fromthe release sheet 54, and the securement portion 70 is drawn past theside edge 34 of the pad assembly 22 while the first and second sections76 and 78 unfold about the fold line 74. When the outer end of the tapestrip has been fully extended past the side edge 34, as shown in FIG. 6,the securement portion 70 of the tape strip 52 is located at a positionfor attaching the tape strip to another portion of the diaper duringplacement on an infant while the elastic strip 82 longitudinallyconstrains the strip 52. In this manner, the tape strip 52 may bereadily removed from the release sheet 54 and extended into aconfiguration for use in securing the diaper.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7-9,in which like reference numerals designate like parts. The fastener ofthis embodiment is similar to the fastener discussed in connection withFIGS. 5 and 6, except that the tape strip 52 is aligned with an edge ofthe pad assembly 22, such as the end edge 36. Thus, with reference toFIG. 9, after the securement portion 70 has been removed from therelease sheet 54, the pad assembly 22 may be gathered and the tape stripmay be utilized to secure tucks 92 in the diaper between the firstportion 68 and the securement portion 70 which is attached to thediaper, resulting in a snug fit of this part of the diaper about aninfant.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 10,in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In thisembodiment, the fastener has a pair of relatively short anchoring strips94 having adhesive 96 attached between the opposed ends 86 and 84 of theelastic strip 82 and the securement portion 70 and first strip portion68 in order to enhance the attachment of the elastic strip 82 to thetape strip 52.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 11,in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In thisembodiment, the fastener 50 has an anchoring strip 94 having a lengthgreater than the length of the elastic strip 82 and having opposed ends98 attached by adhesive 96 to the adhesive 66 on the tape strip 52. Theanchoring strip 94 has a slit 100 separating end portions of theanchoring strip 94 intermediate the ends 84 and 86 of the elastic strip82 to permit expansion of the elastic strip 82.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 12,in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In thisembodiment, back surfaces 102 of the strip first and second sections 76and 78 face each other in the folded extensible portions 72, and theelastic strip 82 is secured to the back surface 102 of the first andsecurement portions 68 and 70. The extensible portion 72 permitsexpansion of the tape strip 52 while the elastic strip 82 constrainslongitudinal extension of the tape strip 52.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 13and 14, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In thisembodiment, the diaper fastener has a pair of tape strips 52 and 52' oneach of the diaper sides, with each of the tape strips 52 and 52' beingsimilar to the fastener described in connection with FIGS. 1-4. Asshown, the tape strip 52' is relatively narrow and the tape strip 52 islocated intermediate the second tape strip 52' and the end edge 36 ofthe pad assembly 22. Also, the securement portions 70 and 70' of bothtape strips 52 and 52' may be releasably attached to a common releasesheet 54. In use, the securement portions 70 and 70' are peeled from therelease sheet 54, and the larger tape strip 52 is utilized to secure thediaper about an infant, as shown in FIG. 14. Next, the second tape strip52' may be attached to a lower spaced portion of the diaper in order toapply tension to this diaper portion after attachment, and secure a snugfit of the lower diaper portion about the infant.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.15-17, in which reference numerals designate like parts. In thisembodiment, the primary tape strip 52 has a first portion 69 attached tothe back surface 26 of the pad assembly 22, and the securement portion70 is releasably attached to a release sheet 54 on the front surface 30of the pad assembly 22. As shown, the tape strip 52 has a cut-out 104adjacent the side edge 34 of the pad assembly, and the auxiliary strip106 extends through the cut-out 104. The auxiliary strip 104 has anadhesive-bearing securement portion 108 releasably attached to a backrelease surface 110 of the tape strip securement portion 70, and anelastic strip 112 extending between the securement portion 108 and thepad assembly where an end 114 of elastic strip 112 is secured to thediaper beneath the first strip portion 68. In use, the securementportion 70 of the tape strip 52 is utilized to secure the diaper aboutan infant, as shown in FIG. 17. Next, a tab 116 on the auxiliary strip106 is utilized to peel the securement portion 108 from the tape strip52, and the securement portion 108 of the auxiliary strip 106 isattached to a lower spaced portion of the diaper. Thus, the elasticstrip 112 of the auxiliary strip 106 causes tension on the lower part ofthe diaper to obtain a snug fit of this diaper part about the infant.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I claim:
 1. A disposable diaper, comprising:an absorbent pad assemblyhaving opposed surfaces; and a tape fastener comprising,a first tapestrip having a first portion attached to one of said surfaces of the padassembly, a securement portion for securing the diaper about an infant,and a cut-out intermediate said first and securement portions, and asecond tape strip extending through the cut-out of said first tape stripand having a securement portion for attachment to the diaper and anelastic portion between the securement portion of the second tape stripand the diaper.
 2. The diaper of claim 1 wherein an end of the elasticportion is connected to the diaper beneath the first portion of thefirst tape strip.
 3. The diaper of claim 1 wherein the first tape striphas a back release surface, and in which the securement portion of thesecond tape strip is releasably attached to said release surface of thefirst tape strip.
 4. The diaper of claim 1 wherein said first portion ofthe first tape strip is attached to said one surface adjacent a sideedge of the pad assembly, and including a release sheet attached to theother surface of the pad assembly adjacent said side edge, with thesecurement portion of the first tape strip being releasably attached toan outer release surface of the release sheet, and with said cut-outbeing located adjacent said side edge.